I'm just going to start by saying that I have to coolest family ever!! My dad, Bouakham, and Steve came down to Guatemala with me to hang out for 3 weeks and it's crazy to think that those three weeks are already coming to a close. Dad and BK leave tomorrow at way too early and Steve's leaving Wednesday probably early afternoon. These past 3 weeks (well, 4 if you count to one that I spent back home) have flown by!! I feel like we haven't really done anything, but I guess we've done quite a bit and I think my family (at least part of it) now understands why I want to spend so much time here.
 |
| Steve on his horse for our 3-hour horse tour |
You already know about our hike to the mirador of Santiaguito (that is, if you read my last post...) and since then we've rocked Holy Week in Xela, gone to San Andres Xecul to see the big yellow church, the zoo, el baul, Lake Atitlan, Xetulul (a theme park, similar to a Six Flags park), los Vahos, a Xelaju MC soccer match and....I feel like we did more, but now I can't remember. We've been doing stuff the whole time and it's been super awesome to have them here, and I'm also exhausted now. Haha! Who would have thought that playing tour guide, translator, and trying to spend every moment that I'm not working with my family would tire me out?! As you may already be aware, my dad is the photographer of the family so I didn't take a ton of pictures while they were here....if you want a play-by-play of pretty much everything we did, beg my dad for pictures.
 |
| On the boat between Panajachel and San Pedro on Lake Atitlan |
 |
| Me and my friend Patty at the theme park, Xetulul |
 |
| My dad was hoping to get stepped on by the horse to heal his guppy elbow |
 |
| BK rocking the bumper cars!! |
 |
| Timo, Patty, me, and Matt at Xetulul |
 |
| The slides at El Baul |
We spent a lot of time in the market and I spent a lot of time translating and trying to get a better price. This is how a typical market trip would go: Bouakham would point something out to my dad and say, in Lao, that she wanted it, my dad would then tell me in English and ask me to ask about the price, I'd ask in Spanish, they'd tell me in Spanish, I'd tell my dad in English, he'd tell BK in Lao, and then they'd talk it over for a minute or two, he'd tell me in English whether or not they wanted it and then I'd convey their decision to the vendor. Overall, it usually took about 5 times longer than normal to make a purchase, but I think that just adds to the experience. Of course, I wouldn't want to be doing that for a long period of time, but for three weeks it's just comical to me. I've learned that having visitors is great, but they definitely need to be able to keep themselves entertained for some of the day since I work. Good thing my dad and Steve had an idea of things they wanted to do while I was at work...even if their poor Spanish got them to San Pedro in 5 hours instead of 2 and they occasionally got ripped off at the market.
Tonight Steve's cooking for everyone at the house they're staying at and it'll be our last dinner together. Kind of sad, but I'm still really glad that they had the chance to come and that we had a great time. My dad's thinking of coming back sometime to take Spanish classes, so I'd say my work here is done. :)
